Vinesh Phogat of India stuns Yui Susaki of Japan, Tokyo gold medalist at 50kg, in Paris opener

cliff brunt

Tue, 6 Aug 2024, 11:17 am·1-min read

India's Vinesh Vinesh, left, celebrates after defeating Japan's Yui Susaki in the round of 16 of the women's freestyle 50kg wrestling match, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

Japan's Yui Susaki and India's Vinesh Vinesh, left, compete in the round of 16 of the women's freestyle 50kg wrestling match, at Champ-de-Mars Arena, during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

PARIS (AP) — Vinesh Phogat of India stunned four-time world champion Yui Susaki of Japan with a late takedown to claim a 3-2 decision in their opening match at 50 kilograms at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday.

Susaki, the seemingly unbeatable top seed in Paris, won the gold medal at the Tokyo Games three years ago without conceding a point.

Phogat won her quarterfinal match 7-5 against Oksana Livach of Ukraine to qualify for the quarterfinal.

Phogat tore her anterior cruciate ligament during her Olympic quarterfinal in 2016 and was taken out on a stretcher. She had never placed higher than ninth at the Olympics or third at a world championship event.

For Susaki to have a chance to fight for a medal through repechage, Phogat will need to reach the final. Phogat faces Yusneylis Guzman Lopez of Cuba on Tuesday night in a semifinal.

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AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games